Title: Solicitation for Research on Terrorism
Series: Solicitation
Author: NIJ
Published: November 2002
Subject: Funding resources
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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
National Institute of Justice
Solicitation
November 2002
Solicitation for Research on Terrorism
Notice: NIJ continues to experience delays in the delivery of U.S. mail. If
you are sending time-sensitive materials to NIJ, especially proposals
responding to solicitations, we recommend that you use an alternative to
the U.S. Postal Service. For delivery by commercial carriers and courier
services, our Zip code is 20001.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
February 14, 2003
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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20531
John Ashcroft
Attorney General
Deborah J. Daniels
Assistant Attorney General
Sarah V. Hart
Director
National Institute of Justice
For grant and funding information, contact:
Department of Justice Response Center
800-421-6770
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
World Wide Web Site:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij
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Solicitation for Research on Terrorism
I. Introduction
The events of September 11 and the bombings of the Alfred P. Murrah
Building in Oklahoma City and the United States embassies in Kenya and
Tanzania underscore the urgent need for research on terrorism and the
effectiveness of efforts by the criminal justice system to respond to the
threat of terrorist events. To address this need, the National Institute of
Justice (NIJ) engaged in a strategic planning process to evaluate the
current state of knowledge on terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies
and identify short-term research priorities. This solicitation seeks
proposals for research in these priority areas. NIJ anticipates making
awards in several areas described in Research Area One and Research
Area Two of this solicitation.
Research Area One targets research to advance our knowledge and
understanding of two global crime phenomena that transcend national
borders and threaten United States interests: transnational organized crime
and international terrorism. Proposed research should investigate the
similarities and differences between transnational organized crime groups
and international terrorists and, most importantly, the points of
intersection between the two.
Research Area Two targets research on the most pressing issues related to
terrorism and terrorist events that affect the criminal justice system at the
local, State, and Federal levels. These issues include challenges for law
enforcement and policymakers in responding to terrorism; links between
terrorism and other crimes and the strategies used to control them; public-
private and intergovernmental partnerships to respond to terrorist events;
and synthesis and dissemination of nonclassified information on terrorist
groups.
For the purpose of this solicitation, terrorism is defined as premeditated,
politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by
subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an
audience. International terrorism means terrorism involving citizens or
territory of more than one country. The scope of this solicitation does not
include acts of terrorism perpetrated by individuals for personal motives.
For Research Area One of this solicitation, the United States must be one
of the countries, and the terrorist groups studied must engage in
international terrorism.
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Letters of Intent Due January 14, 2003
NIJ is streamlining its process to accommodate the volume of proposals
anticipated under this and other solicitations. Researchers can help by
sending a nonbinding letter of intent by January 14, 2003. NIJ will use
these letters to forecast the number of peer panels it needs and identify
conflicts of interest among potential reviewers.
You can fax a letter identifying: (1) the title of your project or a brief
statement of your research question(s) if the title is not fully descriptive;
(2) the names of proposed project staff and consultants; and (3) the
Research Area (One or Two) to which you expect to apply. Fax your letter
to 202-616-0275, Attention: Terrorism Solicitation.
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For Research Area Two the terrorist groups may be either international or
domestic.
Funding available under this solicitation is for research and evaluation
only; requests for funds for program support or development will not be
considered.
Proposals should clearly state how the proposed research will inform and
improve policy and practice in the criminal justice system. Proposals
should also identify the products to be produced (usually a report of
findings), the intended audience, and anticipated format.
Larger, more complex proposals should outline possible ways in which the
proposed work could be segmented into projects of smaller scale if
required.
II. Areas of Research
RESEARCH AREA ONE: TRANSNATIONAL CRIME AND
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
1. Background
In 1998, the National Research Council's Committee on Law and Justice
convened a workshop on transnational organized crime under the auspices
of the National Institute of Justice. The workshop examined the nature and
extent of transnational criminal activities and the organizations involved,
as well as the enforcement and control responses to transnational
organized crime. The workshop's final report emphasized that "there is no
consensus about the nature of transnational threats in the national security
community, nor is there much discrimination between terrorism and other
kinds of transnational offenses." (See Transnational Organized Crime:
Summary of a Workshop, edited by Peter Reuter and Carol Petrie,
Washington, D.C.: National Research Council, 1999:5. Available from the
National Academy Press at http://www.nap.edu.) Further, the report
acknowledged that terrorism is indeed included in the UN definition of
transnational crime, and that (along with drug trafficking) it is "the crime
most worrisome to the public."
The September 11 terrorist attacks have caused a rethinking of priorities in
many areas. Among them is the importance of possible connections
between terrorism and transnational crime. As a result, and in keeping
with a priority goal of the Department of Justice to protect America
against the threat of terrorism, NIJ is implementing a recommendation of
the 1999 workshop report for a "long-term, systematic, rigorous, and
objective" research program in this area, and specifically with respect to
terrorism as a possible form of transnational organized crime. Part of the
increased awareness of the threat that terrorism poses to our society is a
concern about the possible relationships between terrorist groups and
criminal elements, particularly those operating on a global scale. The
research solicited here is intended to be the beginning of a systematic and
rigorous research program to advance knowledge in this critical area.
One or more awards are anticipated in Research Area One.
2. Research Issues and Questions
The purpose of Research Area One is to advance our knowledge and
understanding of the relationship between two global crime phenomena
that transcend national borders and threaten United States interests:
transnational organized crime and international terrorism. For this
purpose, United States interests are defined to include (1) American
citizens and their communities (wherever they are), (2) American
economic and governmental institutions, and (3) threats to global security
and stability.
Employing a variety of research methods and a broad array of data and
information sources, the research will do the following:
A. Investigate the similarities and differences between transnational
organized crime groups and international terrorists and, most importantly,
the points of intersection between the two. The former includes similarities
in modus operandi, including the use of false identities and other
documents necessary to smuggle persons or goods across borders, the use
of bribes to officials, and the formation of affiliations and partnerships.
The latter will include, for example, any enlistment of criminal
organizations into the commission of terrorist acts, terrorists themselves
acting for purely criminal as well as political goals, and/or terrorist groups
using criminal means to achieve political ends.
B. Determine whether the tools and procedures developed to investigate
and prosecute transnational organized crime can be used to combat
terrorism. These tools include information gathering, investigative, and
prosecutorial procedures. In what ways do organized crime and terrorism
require similar or unique law enforcement tools? Do the nature of these
transnational offenses and perpetrators create the need for legal tools that
are not currently available?
RESEARCH AREA TWO: UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING
TO TERRORISM
1. Background
Developing effective and appropriate responses to the threat of terrorism
and terrorist events requires an understanding of how terrorists operate,
including their involvement in illegal activities. Law enforcement
agencies, policymakers, and the criminal justice system are devoting
increasing resources to respond to this threat and these events. These
policy and practice responses raise new issues and challenges for agencies
promoting public safety and criminal justice at the local, State, and Federal
levels. Among them are the manner in which law enforcement agencies at
all levels coordinate their activities and share information with one
another. It is also important to understand how public and private agencies
might coordinate their efforts to respond to terrorism.
Multiple awards are anticipated in Research Area Two.
2. Research Issues and Questions
The purpose of Research Area Two is to produce research findings with
immediate implications for public safety and public policy. Applicants are
invited to explore the following:
A. Study issues and challenges for law enforcement, policy makers, and
the criminal justice system in responding to and combating terrorism.
Applicants might consider studying partnerships between local and
Federal counterterrorism efforts and how other countries have organized to
effectively coordinate such efforts; the impact of terrorism and the
prevention of terrorism on other crime control and prevention efforts; how
the role of the police may be changing to include counterterrorism
information gathering and sharing and how the change may affect the
relationships between citizens, communities, and local law enforcement;
how the stress of responding to terrorist events affects law enforcement
officers and other first responders; and how changes in legal processes
increase the effectiveness of anti-terrorism efforts.
B. Explore the links between terrorism and other forms of crime and the
potential for existing crime control measures to be used to control
terrorism. Terrorist groups engage in such criminal activity as fraud;
identity theft; counterfeiting of documents, currency, and merchandise;
bank robbery; and corruption. Examination of terrorists' involvement in
different forms of crime and law enforcement's opportunities to control
terrorism by successfully preventing, detecting, and prosecuting these
crimes is suggested.
C. Evaluate the potential of intergovernmental and public-private
partnerships in preparing for and responding to terrorist incidents. This
would include identifying high-risk targets and planning for security and
response to terrorist incidents directed at such targets. Analyses of the
extent and manner of cooperation and information sharing among Federal,
State, and local law enforcement agencies are encouraged. Studies aimed
at improving the coordination and effectiveness of fire, public safety, and
public health resources are also encouraged. Private security coordination
with police (local, State, and Federal) could also be addressed, and
assessment of existing programs in which public and private security work
successfully together is suggested.
D. Synthesize existing nonclassified information on terrorist groups for the
purpose of informing the practice of law enforcement, border patrol, and
other criminal justice system actors. This information might include their
structure, motives, finance and resources, links to organized crime,
internal organization, technological capability, methods of operation
(including white collar and other criminal activities), and recruitment and
communication strategies. Studies that develop and/or evaluate new data
sets and contribute to our knowledge of terrorism are encouraged.
III. Data Sources and Research Methods
We expect the data sources for this research to be many and varied. They
will include sources not normally or traditionally employed in criminal
justice research. The documentary sources will be expected to include
official records (e.g., arrest records, indictments, presentence investigation
reports, court records, trial transcripts, etc.), official reports (e.g., GAO
reports, Congressional hearings reports, agency reports, etc.), investigative
records (e.g., surveillance files, informant reports, memoranda, etc.),
studies and surveys (both published and unpublished), financial records,
and so on. Beyond this written record, the research will be expected to tap
an array of primary sources, which could include interviews with
investigators, prosecutors, intelligence analysts, other law enforcement
personnel, and academics. As necessary and appropriate, the research may
also include interviews with researchers based in the United States and
representatives of foreign countries, multinational corporations, and
relevant international bodies.
The research methods employed will need to be both creative and
adaptive. Concerns about the reliability and validity of data and
information must be addressed. In this regard, the researchers should
consider using multiple sources to validate specific findings and
conclusions so as to give greater confidence in those findings and
conclusions.
Although the researchers are asked to propose their own optimal research
designs for addressing the questions and issues posed, it is expected that
the design will include both qualitative and quantitative approaches
involving some combination of interviews, secondary data analyses,
network analyses, case studies, systems modeling, and other methods. The
proposal should include a clear rationale for whatever design is proposed,
as well as contingency plans for meeting unanticipated problems or
roadblocks. Where data collection relies on existing law enforcement data
sets, letters of cooperation from relevant agencies should be included with
the application for funding.
IV. Selection Criteria
NIJ is firmly committed to a competitive process in making grant awards.
External peer review panelists consider both technical and programmatic
merits of a proposed topic. Successful applicants must demonstrate to an
independent peer review panel that: (1) the gap in knowledge they seek to
fill is critical to understanding crime and justice and is policy relevant; (2)
the proposed research design is rigorous and appropriate to posited
research questions; and, (3) principal investigators are highly qualified to
execute the design within the proposed budget. NIJ staff then make
recommendations to the NIJ Director based on the results of the
independent reviews. The Director makes final decisions after consultation
with staff.
NIJ reviews grant applications based upon the following criteria:
--Impact of the Project
o Importance of the problem.
o Potential for significant advances in such areas as violence and
victimization, drugs and crime, crime prevention, law enforcement, courts,
corrections.
o Potential for advancement of scientific understanding of the problem
area.
o Relevance to improving the policy and practice of criminal justice and
related agencies and for improving public safety, security, and quality of
life.
--Quality and Technical Merit
o Awareness of existing research.
o Soundness of methodology, analytics, or technical approach.
o Innovation and creativity, where appropriate.
o Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls.
--Capabilities, Demonstrated Productivity, and Experience of Applicants
o Qualifications and experience.
o Demonstrated ability to manage proposed effort.
The review and award process (including peer review, decisionmaking,
and other considerations) may take approximately 6 months to complete.
Notifications will be sent to the address indicated on the Application for
Assistance. Information regarding award status will not be available until
notifications are distributed in writing.
V. How to Apply
Individuals interested in submitting proposals in response to this
solicitation must complete the required application forms and related
documents. Applicants must include all of the following information and
completed forms to qualify for consideration:
PART A:
o Application for Federal Assistance--Standard Form (SF 424).
o Proposal abstract.
o Table of contents.
o Budget detail worksheet.
o Budget narrative.
o Proposal narrative.
PART B:
o Privacy certificate.
o Protection of Human Subjects Assurance
Identification/Certification/Declaration (Form 310).
o Environmental assessment (if required).
o Geographic Areas Affected Worksheet.
o Assurances.
o Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (one
form).
o Disclosure of lobbying activities.
o Appendixes:
----Vita/resume.
----Letters of cooperation or administrative agreements from organizations
collaborating in the research project.
----Other materials.
The Application Package. Download the application package from NIJ's
Web site:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding_app.htm
The Application for Assistance. The Standard Form 424, Application for
Federal Assistance should be the first page of the application. Please
follow instructions that accompany the Standard Application for
Assistance Form.
In item 10 of the Application, be sure to include 16.560 as the Catalog for
Federal Domestic Assistance Number. Indicate the "Title" as "Research on
Terrorism."
Enter the title of your proposal in item 11. Start and end dates in item 13
should be adjusted to accommodate a 6-month grantmaking process.
The Proposal Abstract. The proposal abstract is a very important part of
the application. The abstract is used in sorting applications for review by
the appropriate independent peer panel. Once an award has been granted,
the abstract is computerized and serves as a summary available to all
interested parties for the duration of the grant. When read separately from
the rest of the application, the abstract should serve as a succinct and
accurate description of the proposed work. Applicants should concisely
describe research goals and objectives, research design, and methods for
achieving the goals and objectives.
The abstract should not exceed 400 words. Use the following two headers
and instructions in developing the abstract:
1. Research Goals and Objectives
Statement of Purpose. State the problem under investigation including
goals and objectives of the proposed research project, and anticipated
relevance of the project to public policy, practice, or theory.
Research Subjects. If applicable, describe subjects who will be involved in
the proposed project including the number of participants, age, gender,
race/ethnicity, and other pertinent characteristics, such as how you will
gain access to participants.
2. Research Design and Methodology
Methods. Describe the research method and/or design, including data to be
used in addressing research questions, data collection procedures and
instrumentation, access to data, and other methods or procedures unique to
the proposed study.
Data Analysis and Products. Describe proposed techniques for data
analysis and all expected products, including interim and final reports,
instrumentation, and data to be archived under NIJ's Data Resource
Program.
The Program Narrative. The program narrative should provide information
and detail to adequately describe the proposed project and should include:
o Purpose, goals, and objectives.
o Brief review of relevant literature.
o Methodology.
o Anticipated results, implications for policy and practice.
o Task management plan/research calendar.
o Tables, charts, figures, and research timeline (not counted in page limit).
Page Limit. The number of pages included in the "Program Narrative"
section of the application must not exceed 30 double-spaced pages in 12-
point font, with 1-inch margins. Bibliographic references along with
tables, charts and figures describing the research design, calendar, analysis
plan, and similar items are not counted in the 30-page limitation.
Due Date. 10 copies (one unbound) of complete applications must be
received at the National Institute of Justice by 4:30 p.m. on the due date.
(Due dates are listed on the cover of this announcement and on the NIJ
Web site.) Extensions to these deadlines are not permitted. Faxed or
electronically transmitted copies will not be accepted.
NIJ reserves the right to return incomplete applications, those not
responsive to the scope of this solicitation, or those not complying with
format requirements. Applications that are incorrectly collated,
incomplete, or handwritten may be considered as submitted or, at NIJ's
discretion, may be returned without further review. Proposals exceeding
the page limit will not be reviewed. No additions to the original
submission are allowed.
Application Materials. Applicants should obtain two packets: (1)
application forms (including a sample budget worksheet); and, (2)
guidelines for submitting proposals (including requirements for proposal
writers and requirements for grant recipients). To receive them, applicants
can:
o Access the NIJ Web site and download application information at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm
o Request hard copies of the forms and guidelines by mail from NCJRS at
800-851-3420 or from the Department of Justice Response Center at 800-
421-6770 (in the Washington, D.C., area, at 202-307-1480).
o Request copies by fax. Call 800-851-3420 and select option 1, then
option 1 again for NIJ. Code is 1023.
Note: Instructions in this announcement supersede those outlined in the
document: Guidelines for Submitting Proposals for National Institute of
Justice--Sponsored Research.
VI. Performance Guidelines
To ensure compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA), Public Law 103-62, this solicitation notifies successful
applicants that they will be required to collect and report information and
data that measure the results of the grant. In order to ensure accountability,
the following performance standards are established for all NIJ grantees
under this solicitation.
Research and Evaluation Performance Standards. Grantees are required to
submit in draft form the following deliverables 90 days before the grant
end date:
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Deliverables Required 90 Days Before the Grant End Date
o Abstract (400 words).
o Final report.
o Electronic data and supporting documentation capable of being re-
analyzed and used by other researchers.
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All NIJ draft research reports are peer reviewed upon submission. The
reviews are forwarded to the principal investigator with suggestions for
revisions. The principal investigator is then required to submit the revised
final report, abstract, executive summary, final data set and codebook/data
dictionary by the end date of the grant. The abstract, executive summary,
and final report are to be submitted in both paper and electronic/diskette
versions. The data set and codebook/dictionary are also to be submitted in
electronic form.
Data sets must be received by the grant end date. Grant applicants should
ensure that the proposed timeline and budget accommodates these
requirements.
In addition to the abstract, executive summary, research report, and data
set, grantees are required to submit financial status reports and progress
reports.
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Other Required Reports
o Quarterly Financial Status Reports (Standard Form 269-A).
o Final Financial Status Report (Standard Form 269-A).
o Semiannual Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (OJP Form 4587).
o Final Categorical Assistance Progress Report (OJP Form 4587).
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Financial Status Reports. Financial status reports (SF 269-A) are to be
submitted quarterly no later than 45 days following the end of each
calendar quarter. Two copies of the financial status report must be
submitted to the Office of the Comptroller every quarter during which the
award is active even if there has been no financial activity during the
reporting period.
Additionally, a final financial report is due 120 days after the end date of
the award. Future awards and fund drawdowns will be withheld if
financial status reports are delinquent.
Progress Reports. Recipients of funding are also required to submit
semiannual Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (OJP Form 4587).
Two copies of the progress report must be submitted to the Office of the
Comptroller twice a year even if there has been no substantive activity
during the reporting period. The progress report should describe activities
during the reporting period and status or accomplishment of objectives as
set forth in the approved application for funding. For the duration of the
award, progress reports must be submitted within 30 days after the end of
the reporting periods (January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through
December 31).
Additionally, a Final Progress Report providing a summary of
achievement of the goals and objectives of the award, significant results,
and any products developed under the award, is due 90 days after the end
date of the award. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if
progress reports are delinquent.
Forms for submitting financial and progress reports are available at the
NIJ Web site. Report formats will also be provided by the Office of Justice
Programs at the time of the grant award.
This information will facilitate future program planning and/or research
efforts and will allow OJP to provide the Congress and others with
measurable results of its grants.
Research Report. The final research report, due in draft form 90 days prior
to the end of the grant, should provide a comprehensive overview of the
study and should include a detailed description of the research design,
data, and methods, a full presentation of scientific findings, and a thorough
discussion of the implications of the research findings for criminal justice
practice and policy.
Evaluation Report. For evaluation studies, the research report should also
include a section on Measuring Program Performance. This section should
outline the measures used to evaluate program effectiveness, modifications
made to those measures as a result of the evaluation, and recommendations
regarding these and other potential performance measures for similar
programs. (This information will be particularly valuable to NIJ and other
Federal program agencies in implementing performance measures for
federally funded criminal justice programs.)
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CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION AND HUMAN SUBJECT
PROTECTION
NIJ has adopted new policies and procedures regarding the confidentiality
of information and human subjects protection.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations at 28 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 22 require recipients of NIJ research funds to
protect personally identifiable information that is collected from all
research participants. The regulations at 28 CFR Part 22 require applicants
for NIJ funding to outline specific procedures for protection of private
information about individuals as part of the Privacy Certificate submitted
with the application package.
In addition to the regulations in Part 22, DOJ has adopted policies
concerning protection of human subjects which are the same as those
established by the Department of Health and Human Services in 45 CFR
Part 46, Subpart A, also known as the "Common Rule."
The DOJ regulations are set forth in 28 CFR Part 46. In general, 28 CFR
Part 46 requires that all research involving human subjects conducted or
supported by a Federal department or agency be reviewed and approved by
an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before Federal funds are expended
for that research. If IRB approval is required for this project, a copy of the
IRB's approval as well as supporting documentation concerning the IRB's
institutional affiliation, its polices and procedures, and necessary
assurances must be submitted to the National Institute of Justice prior to
the initiation of any research activities that are not exempt from the
provisions of 28 CFR Part 46.
Further information regarding Confidentiality and Human Subjects
Protections may be found in Guidelines for Submitting Proposals for
National Institute of Justice--Sponsored Research.
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Guidance and information. Applicants who wish to receive additional
guidance and information may contact the U.S. Department of Justice
Response Center at 800-421-6770. Center staff can provide assistance or
refer applicants to an appropriate NIJ professional.
Send applications to:
Office of Research and Evaluation
Solicitation for Research on Terrorism
National Institute of Justice
810 Seventh Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20531
[overnight courier ZIP code 20001]
For more information on the National Institute of Justice, please contact:
National Criminal Justice Reference Service
Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
800-851-3420
e-mail: askncjrs@ncjrs.org
You can view or obtain an electronic version of this document from the
NIJ Web site (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij) or by e-mailing
askncjrs@ncjrs.org.
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